Commission approves policy to allow redaction of minutes, audio and video where court orders expungement

The Utah County Commission adopted a resolution that permits county public minutes to be redacted when a court issues an order of expungement and that, "to the extent possible," staff will redact corresponding audio and video recordings.

Paul Jones of the county attorney’s office presented a draft resolution that had been uploaded to the commission agenda shortly before the meeting. Jones said the measure allows the county to redact minutes that contain information later ordered expunged and directs staff to make best efforts to redact audio and video recordings in parallel while preserving originals on file for limited review if commissioners find good cause.

Commissioners discussed the use of permissive language — "may" — to avoid creating a mandatory obligation the county could not meet if online audio or third-party hosting made full removal impossible. Commissioner Gardner said she favored the approach as consistent with broader state efforts to expand expungement and re-entry opportunities for people seeking to move past youthful or old mistakes; Commissioner Lee said the language gives staff flexibility while reassuring the public that county records remain preserved for lawful review.

The commission approved the item by voice vote (3–0). Staff said the order of expungement must come from a court and that the county will keep originals on file in case a future showing of good cause warrants limited access.

What's next: County staff will implement the policy and update records procedures to reflect the redaction process, and the attorney’s office will finalize language and coordinate with records and IT staff.